Experts give advice on nutrition and exercise to improve the well-being of those living with the disease
Diabetes is a disease that affects a large part of the population. In Brazil, approximately 15.7 million people have received this diagnosis. The data is already alarming, but the prediction is that this number will exceed 23 million by 2045.
Therefore, the guidance for those living with the disease is to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Maintaining balanced eating habits, practicing regular physical activity and undergoing medical monitoring are fundamental pillars for control of blood glucose levels. This way you can prevent long-term complications and provide more quality of life to patients.
Controlling your glycemic level, that is, the amount of sugar in your blood, helps reduce the risk of complicationshelping to improve the daily lives of people with diabetes. In this sense, nutritional therapy has a significant impact on this control. This is because blood glucose levels can be affected positively or negatively depending on a person’s diet.
Nutritionist and scientific manager of Abbott’s Nutrition Division in Brazil, Patrícia Ruffo, brings dietary advice and physical activities that can help promote the quality of life of diabetics. Check it out below.
Healthy eating and diabetes
Some foods can affect blood glucose levels, so it is important to understand how they affect our body.
- Fiber-rich carbohydrates, such as breads and whole grains, break down into smaller pieces and are absorbed more slowly, helping to keep blood glucose levels more stable throughout the day.
- Foods rich in sugar, such as sodas, juices and sweets, are absorbed quickly, causing blood sugar to rise at the same rate.
- Eating 5 servings of fruit and vegetables during meals helps you get fiber, vitamins and minerals.
- Consuming various meats and reduced-fat protein alternatives, such as tofu, also affects this process
- Drinking low-fat milk and consuming dairy products such as yogurt is good for tooth and bone health
- Limit your intake of fats, sugars and salt. Do not completely eliminate fats, but consume smaller quantities and preferably mono and polyunsaturated fats
- Use herbs instead of salt as a seasoning and reduce sugar when possible
- Consume fewer foods rich in saturated fats. They are linked to high cholesterol levels, which can lead to weight gain and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease
- Cut back on excess salt, as it can increase blood pressure
Physical preparation
In addition to a good diet, maintaining physical fitness through regular exercise is a great way to control diabetes. This is because the physical activity It is essential for maintaining overall health.
In the case of diabetes, Exercise helps control blood sugar levelsincreasing insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, they help reduce or control weight, while also promoting improvements in the conditioning of the cardiovascular system. See below for more benefits of physical activities.
- Tones muscles to make them more sensitive to insulin
- It uses all the energy, reducing blood glucose levels
- Maintains a healthy weight
- Relieves stress
- It increases lung capacity and the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream
- It helps reduce cholesterol and blood pressure levels, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Improves blood circulation throughout the body, reducing the risk of arterial disease, myocardial infarctions and strokes
“It is important to remember that it is essential to have the support of a doctor and health professionals such as a nutritionist and physical trainer so that diabetes management is carried out in a more complete and healthy way based on the profile and needs of each person”, concludes the nutritionist .
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
